baby at motherboard

[snow-ice-mn]

I have an old compaq 4505 that I have set up for my 6 year old. I need to do a small upgrade because even programs for kids need more horsepower that it has now. It is a 166 mmx with 48mg pc100 ram. The motherboard measures 11X8.7 and the tray is 13X9. I did some checking and all I found out about the MB is it is a compaq only board. I believe the size makes it a baby at board. :confused: I know the power supply is wimpy, but I would like to go to a little faster setup. A 1 ghz would be fine. If I can reuse the ram, that would be good. I have another computer running an amd chip, so an amd board would be ok for future upgrades to both. I am having a hard time finding a baby at board. If anyone can help with that, that would be great. Will the micro atx fit in a baby at box? Can I get or make an i/o shield to fit? can I get all the connections to work with the current box? I don't want to get into a new case, new mb, new power supply, ect. as she is only 6 :) Thanks

[bob05]

Originally posted by snow-ice-mn
I have an old compaq 4505 that I have set up for my 6 year old. I need to do a small upgrade because even programs for kids need more horsepower that it has now. It is a 166 mmx with 48mg pc100 ram. The motherboard measures 11X8.7 and the tray is 13X9. I did some checking and all I found out about the MB is it is a compaq only board. I believe the size makes it a baby at board. :confused: I know the power supply is wimpy, but I would like to go to a little faster setup. A 1 ghz would be fine. If I can reuse the ram, that would be good. I have another computer running an amd chip, so an amd board would be ok for future upgrades to both. I am having a hard time finding a baby at board. If anyone can help with that, that would be great. Will the micro atx fit in a baby at box? Can I get or make an i/o shield to fit? can I get all the connections to work with the current box? I don't want to get into a new case, new mb, new power supply, ect. as she is only 6 :) Thanks

There are some things you should know about the Baby AT form factor:

1. You cannot put an ATX motherboard into an AT case.
2. Your probbably not going to find an I/O shield for your Compaq case.
3. The power supply for an AT case WILL NOT work for an ATX motherboard.
4. A P166's memory will not work on any motherboard that supports a 1 ghz CPU, its simply too slow and too old.


That said there are a few options. Here is a motherboard for an Baby AT case:

heres another: http://www.pcchips.com.tw/M757LRT.html

But being perfectly honest you are better off getting a new system.

Cheers :t

[snow-ice-mn]

Thanks for the help, that board would work but I cant find anyone selling it. I followed the link from the mgf site to the "where you can buy" site and did a search, they dont sell it :(
Did a search on the net, no help. Do you know a place to search for baby at motherboards? Maybe there is another board somewhere that will work :D

[BipolarBill]

If anything, children need a more powerful system then their parents. You are making the classic error in your assumptions. I can put together a great kid's system for about $350 minimum. If you spend less, you will be hearing whining from the kids room soon enough. The support costs will drive you to drink!

[snow-ice-mn]

I have come to the same conclusion. I am looking at a mini atx box with a motherboard that has alot of onboard features. I can use what I can from old box and still keep the small size I need for a 6 year olds room. I'll post back when I line up the parts to get more input :t

[$1500-P4 gamer]

Newegg has ALL those pc chips mainboards! Im useing the one with built in duron 1400+ for a office system build soon. Has 128mb ram built in too. video-sound-modem lan all built in. Its a baby ATX though. Hey-atx case at the egg. is only $20- bucks with free psu too! gotta be better than the old one. And shipping is ALWAYS good at the egg.


"I don't want to get into a new case, new mb, new power supply, ect. "

You have no choise. It will cost more to get old AT stuff then new atx micro with new cheapo case. The unit I listed even has the mem and such with it-built in!

MOBO- they were outta the one with built in mem and modem I was talking about-this is the next best to it with faster cpu even! CPU IS ON MAINBOARD_INSTALLED AND READY TO RUN, with Heatsink and fan too.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manufactory=1941&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1

"Supported CPU:Onboard AMD Duron 1600+ (non-Upgradable)
Chipset:Via KM266 + VT8235
FSB: 266 MHz
RAM:2x DDR DIMM for DDR266/200 Max 1GB
2x SDRAM PC100/133 Max 1GB
IDE:Ultra DMA 66/100/133 up to 4 Devices
Slots:1xAGP 2x 32-bit PCI slots, and 1 CNR
Ports:2xPS2,1xCOM,1xLPT,2xUSB 1xVGA & Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: AC'97 CMI9739A Codec
Onboard Video: 256-bit Intregrated Savage4
$75.00 "


Add a stick of mem-ready to rock! SDR is good for Durons so no prob there. Also note-the pic shows it runs DDR also-so yer choice (blue slots). If you have sdr use it. If buying new get ddr pc2100 or 1600 for the duron.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=147&manufactory=1183&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1

"KINGSTON KVR266X64C25/128 128MB DDR PC2100 -OEM
6 Layers High Quality Board; CL2.5; Requires DDR supported motherboard. Lifetime warranty Model#: KVR266X64C25/128 -OEM Special Free FedEx Saver Shipping

$28.00 "

Or get 256mb for x2 $!

Add a real case-cause no way that compaq is gonna work. They make sure of that usually.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-154-018&DEPA=1

"Foxconn Super Case Model# PC-132 w/350W Power Supply -with USB ports Retail
Specifications:
Material:Steel
Form Factor:ATX Micro ATX
Bays:7 Full Size
Expansion Slots:4x 5.25", 3x 3.5" and 4 3.5" Internal
Fans:0 Included
Power Supply: 350W Power Supply
Dimensions: DxWxH 18.75x7.25x16" Model#: PC-132 FedEx Saver Shipping $15.00

$25.00 "


Total working pc - the hdd-cdrom and monitor, keyboard and mouse which I assume you have already.

Total for a NEW pc that isnt propriatary ****.
Mobo $75
Mem $28
Case $25

$128, =shipping but mos of it (except case) is free shipping anyhow. thats as cheap as I can come up with anyhow. Would be great for your 6 year old to "grow" into.








:t

[snow-ice-mn]

that sounds good for a 6 year old. I may look for a mb that will take a amd xp chip as I have one I can use. I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks:) :t

[zepper]

I like the MSI KM2M Combo L because it will run an XP on a good 200W PSU as long as it has a P4 12v connector. It's small enough to fit your case but it will need an ATX PSU which probably won't fit in the original PSU space. It's easy on the wallet too. See my review of it maybe in the user reviews here and/or on www.techimo.com .
.bh.
:t

[MickMitani]

Most of us like to build pcs or we wouldn't be on this site but building is not always the answer. If you are looking for a cheap solution there are a lot of systems out there you can get for under $300 that are loaded. Go to pricewatch.com and check for systems. Don't forget to use resellerratings.com to see if the seller is reliable.



example: justdeals.com has some refurbished E-Machines starting at $279 with $12.95 shipping. That buys you an XP 1600+, 128m RAM, 40GB HD, 32X CD-RW, WinXP Home, modem, ethernet, -- everything but the monitor.

(normally I wouldn't recommend E-Machines, but by the time a 6-year-old is old enough to upgrade they'll be wanting an entirely new machine)

check out Eagle Computer Systems for older HP machines - they have several under $300.

[fizur2002]

I buy power (www.ibuypower.com) has some really good deals on a fully loaded system that has all the components that you would need for your kid, take a look at them and tell me what you think.